Israel steps up military operations in Lebanon and threatens to target Beirut

The southern regions of Lebanon witnessed a sharp military escalation, as Israeli warplanes launched yesterday, Monday, a series of intensive raids that affected more than seventy sites. The strikes focused on the town of Mashgharah in the western Bekaa, which was subjected to eight consecutive raids, in addition to targeting the city of Tyre and the surrounding areas. In a remarkable development, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that his country is in a "state of war" with Hezbollah, despite the entry into force of an agreement Ceasefire since mid-April. Netanyahu stressed in video statements that the current situation requires "strengthening strikes and increasing strength" against the party. Israeli sources revealed to CNN about preparations to expand the scope of military operations during the coming period, including the resumption of raids on the capital Beirut and the targeting of senior Hezbollah leaders inside the city. The sources pointed out that these moves are taking place in coordination with the US administration For his part, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun rejected what he described as the "renewed Israeli occupation" in the south, stressing that full Israeli withdrawal is a "firm national demand that cannot be waived." He pointed out that the Lebanese state is working to achieve this goal through the negotiating track. These developments come ahead of the resumption of direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel under US auspices on June 2 and 3. A separate security track is scheduled to be launched at the Pentagon at the end of May to discuss ceasefire arrangements and Israeli withdrawal. According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, the cumulative toll of military operations since March 2 reached 3,185 dead and 9,633 injured, in light of the continuation of almost daily confrontations between the two parties despite the ceasefire agreement currently in force.